The encounter with Alyandra (part 1).

note: Aylandra and Sariel are powerful NPC’s in my solo Tales of Argosa campaign. You can find a full description of both here, Exploring the Betrayal of the Dragon Queen Campaign – Solo Tabletop RPG Site

The storm rages on, a deafening crash of thunder fills the sky like the war drum of some unseen force. Wind tears through the trees, branches twisting and bending in protest. Rain pelts the four companions with relentless fury as they struggle to bring their mounts under control.

Then, as if the storm itself parted for her, a lone figure, mounted on a white Stallion, emerges from the woods.

Alyindra.

Her stallion, its colour as pure white as virgin snow, its main whipping wildly in the wind, seems unaffected by the tempest that engulfs them all. Moving with a ghostly grace, each step deliberate, each movement precise, the animal approaches the companions.

Alyindra , her cloak, a deep midnight blue, billows at her back, snapping at the wind like a banner announcing her arrival. The air around her is charged with something unnatural, it crackles and sparks with energy, as if lightning itself flows through her veins..

Scraps stops dead ahead of Morwen’s horse, his growl deepening into something more primal, more urgent. His single eye locked onto the approaching rider, ears flattened, hackles raised.

Alyindra halts her horse, keeping a little distance between the companions and herself.(Far range). She lifts her chin and studies the drenched and weary companions. Then, with confidence and composure she speaks —her voice steady, clear, and unwavering over the howling winds.

“Derowen, Morwen, Hedrag and Peran. I have been expecting you.”

Ayindra pauses, a brief flicker of amusement curls the edges of her lips, then in a voice laced with certainty, she continues.

“I am Aylindra, envoy of the Dragon Queen. I have come to aid you in your quest, to ensure your survival —and the safety of the Mirror of Dragons.”

Sensing Scraps unease, Morwens horse becomes restless, shifting its weight beneath her. Darowen, ever protective of her sister shoots Morwen a glance, silently asking the young mage if she senses anything strange about the lady on the white stallion.

Morwen makes an Int(Arcane Lore) roll to see if she senses Magic around Aylindra. Needing 19 or under on d20, she rolls 1, Great Success.

Morwen answers her sister without speaking, communicating to Darowen that the newcomer is using magic to commanding the storm.

Peran, ever skeptical of strangers, narrowed his eyes upon Aylindra —this stranger who dared offer aid uninvited. With a single deft movement, so subtle it was swallowed by the shadows, his dagger found its place in the rogues hand.

Hedrag shifted in his saddle, his gaze firmly fixed upon Aylindra. Something about her—about the ease with which she rode through the storm—set his instincts on edge. But it was Scraps who truly unsettled him. The big, battle-scarred dog had planted himself like a barrier in front of Morwen and let out a deep, rumbling growl that seemed to vibrate through the sodden air. His single eye burned with a wariness Hedrag was learning to trust.

Hedrag, in a low voice edged in caution, spoke, his words meant more for his companions than the lady in the blue cloak, “Scraps does not like you”, It wasn’t an accusation—it was an observation, a warning left hanging in the storms rage.

Aylindra, sensing the companions mistrust, spoke though the tempest of chaotic wind and rain she had conjured, her words a deceptive balm to the storm’s fury. “The Dragon Queen,” she began, her voice clearly audible above the wind’s howl, “has foreseen your journey, and sent me to guide you… to ensure the Mirror reaches its rightful destination.” Her gaze, sharp and assessing, swept over each of them in turn, lingering just a moment too long on the pack where the Mirror of Dragons lay concealed. The companions found themselves caught in a web of her charm and guile, forced to tread carefully, their every word, every gesture, meticulously measured against the backdrop of her watchful gaze.

Aylindra’s smile was as cold as the driving rain. “I know of the undead that entered the outpost of Harwood Reach, you underestimated their strength, didn’t you? And the treacherous wagon path across the frosted peaks… even the seasoned merchant turned back, sensing the danger. Without my guidance, you’ll face far greater perils ahead.” Her words hung in the air, each syllable a subtle jab at their competence, a reminder of their vulnerability. Morwen shifted uneasily; Hedrag’s hand instinctively moved towards his longsword; Peran’s eyes narrowed, suspicion battling with a grudging acknowledgment of her knowledge. Aylindra continued, her words dripping with ominous foreboding, “The Shadowfen awaits, and the wraiths there are far more powerful than you realise.”

“The Shadowfen?”, Hedrags voice, questioning, rumbles over the sound of the storm, “I have heard nothing of such a place, or it wraiths.”

Once again Aylindras lips curl into a faint smile, “Few speak of it, few enter it, and non have ever survived it – without my assistance you too will join the lost.”

“you seek a lost city in the Sunstones, you have heard it called Dierthama but it has born many names across the ages.” Aylindra’s voice was low, almost reverent, but laced with an unsettling certainty. “You seek answers there yet you do not know the questions to ask. The Mirror of Dragons will guide you but you are blind to its true power _its secrets remain beyond your grasp”.

Aylindra turns to Darowen and Morwen,, her words sharp as the storm wind whips around the sisters “Your Farther seeks the city too, he follows you with an army, intent on claiming all you uncover there -he will stop at nothing to take it from you.”

Aylindra’s gaze falls upon Morwen, her tone softening, carrying a chilling undertone of temptation, “I can teach you how to control the mirror, all you need is to trust me.”

Then a new voice, soft, quiet , yet commanding attention, is heard over the storm, “No one here will trust you Aylindra, your words are false, you seek to deceive and take what they possess for yourself.”

All turn towards the newcomer.

“Sariel,” Aylindra hisses.

Hedrag too recognises the girl.

To be continued.